CHICLAYO, The City of Friendship

Chiclayo, capital of the Department of Lambayeque, is one of the largest cities of Peru and a meeting point for people from the Coast, the Highlands and the Northern Jungle.It is situated a few kilometers from the sea and its dynamism is notable thanks to its intense commercial activity and its diversified tourist offer, which attracts many visitors each year, longing to explore or practice sports on its beaches, or to delve into its past.

Also known as Ciudad de la Amistad (The City of Friendship) because of the kindness and warmth of its people, Chiclayo is located in a region which was home to important pre-Hispanic cultures, such as the Mochica (1st to 7th centuries A.C.) and the Lambayeque (7th to 10th centuries A.C.) which remains, found in different times and circumstances, continue to amaze the world.

The founding of Chiclayo has not been recorded in Spanish history.
It was born in the second half of the 16th century as an Indian town, a place where the merchants carrying wares in the area would stop for a rest. Baptized as Santa María en los Valles de Chiclayo, the Franciscan Monastery, the first of its kind built during the Colony has recorded the event.

At present, Chiclayo is a bustling city. Its rich past is complemented by the life of a vigorous population in constant activity, thanks to its trade and its tourist offer.